English Language Universities in Europe

By Linda Broughton

Many major cities in non-English speaking European countries host schools with English-language degrees.

In Europe, most capitals and many major cities in non-English speaking countries host universities with English-language degrees. The goal of such programs is to attract foreign students, most of who learn English as a second language. Before searching for an English-language university, it may be more cost efficient to search for programs that are taught in English at national European universities. National universities in Europe are far less expensive than American, British or Canadian schools, and most offer student VISAs to foreign students.

Choosing an English-language university or degree

There are a number of universities in Europe taught entirely in English. These universities are largely private and for-profit, unlike publicly funded continental European universities. The opportunity to attend higher education in most European countries is considered to be a citizen's right, so private education is not very popular. Some public universities are even tuition-free, especially those found in the Nordic countries such as Sweden or Finland.

English-language programs of study in Europe

If a student is certain regarding a course of study, it's easier to find English-language university programs if he or she studies: International law, business, diplomacy or trade, Hotel and travel services, Computer science, Environmental engineering and other sciences. Due to the international and pan-European nature of these studies, many universities in Europe offer all or the majority of the courses for the above studies in English, as this is the expected language of exchange that students will use upon graduation.

American colleges in Europe

American universities in Europe include: Boston College, with campuses in Brussels, Belgium Webster University in Vienna, Austria Vesalius College in Brussels, Belgium The American University of Paris in Paris, France Parsons Paris School of Design in Paris, France Jacobs University Bremen in Bremen, Germany Touro College in Berlin, Germany The American College of Greece in Athens, Greece John Cabot University in Italy The International University of Monaco in Monaco Webster University Leiden in the Netherlands St. Louis University in Madrid, Spain Suffolk University in Madrid, Spain Ecole Hoteliere de Lausanne in Lausanne, Switzerland -- Courses are taught in English for a number of selected programs. Franklin College in Switzerland Glion Institute in Switzerland

British univserities in continental Europe

United Kingdom universities will be more expensive than attending an English-language program at a university in another part of Europe. United Kingdom universities charge non-British citizens slightly more than British citizens to attend school, which is not the case at other European universities. Cost can vary between $4,000 to $6,000 dollars per semester. Some British universities run campuses in continental Europe. The University of Kent in Canterbury, with campuses in Canterbury, Medway and Tonbridge in the UK maintains full university programs in Brussels, Belgium and Paris, France. The Open University, based in the UK, reaches throughout Europe via satellite campuses and online courses.

What does a European university degree mean?

Due to the Bologna Process, legislation by the European Union, there is also equal recognition of different national degrees throughout the 27 member states of the European Union. Therefore, all EU member states usually recognize a degree earned at one university in a EU member state.

References

About the Author

Linda Margaret Broughton writes for a communications company specializing in international public affairs. She writes audiovisual and social media communication strategies aimed at informing the general public. Broughton began writing professionally about digital communication trends and strategies in 2005. She has a degree in history and audiovisual studies and a master's degree in public policy and economic law.